Westfield Mourns One More Resident Lost To COVID; Cases Declining

WESTFIELD, NJ — As is happening in communities around the state, Westfield's case numbers for coronavirus are finally starting to decline — but at the same time, the virus is still taking lives and landing residents in the hospital.

"I’m saddened to report an additional fatality," said Mayor Shelley Brindle on Monday night in a coronavirus update, "a 79-year-old male who had been hospitalized — bringing Westfield’s total number of COVID deaths to 57."

However, Brindle also said case numbers in April were slightly lower than in March. She also said the vaccination numbers are improving, with more than half of the adult population of Westfield now vaccinated.

Studies have shown that the vaccine is at least 95 percent effective against the virus, and among those who still get it, it will greatly reduce the chance of hospitalization and death.

Brindle said, "I’m thrilled to report that, as of April 23, 78 percent of Westfield’s adult population has received at least one dose, and 57 percent of the adult population has been fully vaccinated. Note that these vaccination numbers are indicative of those 18 and older, so the rate is higher in actuality when accounting for those over 16 receiving vaccinations."

For the month of April, she said, COVID-19 cases in Westfield were down 15 percent from the month of March, representing 232 cases in total.

New Jersey's worst day

The optimism comes at an interesting time, as exactly one year ago this week, New Jersey suffered through its worst day of the coronavirus crisis — with 460 residents dying of the virus in 24 hours, or one every three minutes. At the time, people were scrambling for protective equipment, and some hospitals didn't have enough ventilators.

A year later, 3 million New Jerseyans have been vaccinated.

But a total of 1,768 people were still hospitalized with the virus statewide as of last Wednesday.

Is there a light at the end of this dark tunnel?

"I’m glad to be able to share so much encouraging news today, both on the local and state levels, in terms of vaccinations, re-openings, and very favorable health data trends," Brindle wrote.

Of the cases in April, she said, there were:

• Age 9 and under: 34 cases (including a 5-month-old baby)
• Age 10-19: 67 cases
• Age 20-29: 24 cases
• Age 30-39: 25 cases
• Age 40-49: 23 cases
• Age 50-59: 41 cases
• Age 60-69: 7 cases
• Age 70-79: 7 cases
• Age 80-89: 2 cases
• Age 90 and above: 2 cases

Contact tracing results:

• 81 had no known exposure
• 51 had a positive household contact
• 46 were unable to be reached
• 37 had a known exposure
• 4 were associated with work
• 3 refused to be interviewed
• 2 were hospitalized
• 2 remain under investigation
• 2 were associated with youth sports
• 2 were associated with long-term care/group home facilities
• 1 was diagnosed in a prior month but reported during April
• 1 was associated with travel

Brindle said, "Of these 232 cases, 51 were received since my last update (April 23) through April 30. The most highly impacted age group for the month was ages 10 through 19, representing 29 percent of the reported cases. Westfield’s total number of cases to date is 2,334."

She also noted, "Regional Health Officer Megan Avallone reports the fantastic news that New Jersey is finally out of a high transmission level, with all regions in the yellow zone (indicating moderate transmission). Today marked the first time since Oct. 17 that New Jersey had reported fewer than 1,000 cases in one day."

In Union County, 225,783 residents (40.5 percent of the total population) have received one dose and 140,633 (25.2 percent of total population) are fully vaccinated. Union County has also seen a 42 percent decrease in new cases compared to two weeks ago, Brindle said.

Death toll still mounting

However, as the vaccination rollout continues, the virus continues to take lives in New Jersey.

A total of 1,768 people are hospitalized with the virus statewide as of last Wednesday, and the state reported 20 more deaths from last Wednesday to Thursday.

Fifteen Union County residents passed away from the virus last week. READ MORE: Union County COVID Numbers And Trends This Week

Nationwide, more than 570,000 Americans have died from the virus.

Find out up-to-date information on the types of vaccines and a list of where to get vaccinated in Union County here.

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